عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

US Delivers 4 Advanced Reconnaissance Aircraft to Tunisia

One of the four C208 aircraft donated by the United States (TAP)
One of the four C208 aircraft donated by the United States (TAP)
TT
TT

US Delivers 4 Advanced Reconnaissance Aircraft to Tunisia

One of the four C208 aircraft donated by the United States (TAP)
One of the four C208 aircraft donated by the United States (TAP)

Tunisia on Monday took delivery of four C208 aircraft donated by the US and equipped with control, surveillance and reconnaissance systems.

“The aircraft are endowed with modern systems which will strengthen the National Army's military and operational capabilities in countering terrorism and cross-border crime,” Tunisian Defense Minister Khaled Shili said at a ceremony held Monday at the Aouina airbase with the attendance of US Ambassador Joey Hood.

The C208 will strengthen operational and logistical capacities in intelligence, reconnaissance and aerial surveillance, he added, considering the accuracy of execution and speedy data processing and analysis.

They will thus contribute to improving security and peace at home and in the region.

The delivery takes place under the Tunisia-US cooperation and in application of the military cooperation program agreed during the 34th session of the Tunisia-US Joint Military Commission held in 2020.

Shili commended coordination with the US which led to the conclusion of what he called a “successful transaction,” as was the case in previous transactions involving C130 aircraft, training aircraft and speedboats.

Most Viewed

 
 
Arab World

Syria's New Rulers Name Foreign Minister

Asaad Hassan al-Shibani. (SANA)
Asaad Hassan al-Shibani. (SANA)
TT
TT

Syria's New Rulers Name Foreign Minister

Asaad Hassan al-Shibani. (SANA)
Asaad Hassan al-Shibani. (SANA)

Syria's new rulers have appointed a foreign minister, the official Syrian news agency (SANA) said on Saturday, as they seek to build international relations two weeks after Bashar al-Assad was ousted.

The ruling General Command named Asaad Hassan al-Shibani as foreign minister, SANA said. A source in the new administration told Reuters that this step “comes in response to the aspirations of the Syrian people to establish international relations that bring peace and stability.”

The opposition Syria TV said Shibani, formerly known as Zeid al-Attar, was in charge of foreign affairs when the Al-Nusra Front transformed into the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group.

Syrian media said that until 2024, he has been residing in Türkiye. Along with HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, he helped form the al-Nusra Front.

Shibani assumed several pseudonyms, including Nassim, Abu Aisha, Abu Ammar al-Shami and Hussam al-Shafei.

Born in 1987, he hails from the Hasakeh countryside. He was studying translation before his family moved to Damascus where he earned a degree in English Literature from Damascus University. He earned a master's degree in political science and foreign relations in Türkiye in 2022.

Syria's de facto ruler Sharaa has actively engaged with foreign delegations since assuming power, including hosting the UN's Syria envoy and senior US diplomats.

Sharaa has signaled a willingness to engage diplomatically with international envoys, saying his primary focus is on reconstruction and achieving economic development. He has said he is not interested in engaging in any new conflicts.

The United States, other Western powers and many Syrians were glad to see groups led by the HTS topple Assad.